buying diamonds, loose diamonds, diamonds
Buying Diamond Stones
All diamonds are classified by their
carat weight, color, clarity and
cut. A carat means weight 1 carat = 1/5 of a gram.
The diamond weight is a very important factor
to its cost.
Color of a diamond stone usually start at
D; A, B, and C are assumed not to exist.
Diamonds are color graded by a
gemologist against a master set of colors.
Diamonds rated D-F are the brightest colorless
diamonds. Diamonds stones rated G-H are very white
and bright face-up. Diamonds stones rated I-J are not quite as
bright or have very slight hardly any noticeable tint. Diamond stones
K-L have a slight tint that even an average person will
begin to notice. Diamond stones M or lower the color
will be noticed. Each grade can have a 10-15% variance in its price range;
diamonds of a colorless grade D-F are much more
valuable than diamonds in the L-P range. Another color factor is
Fluorescence; Fluorescence is caused by a trace amount of the
element boron.
Clarity of a diamond can be described in simple
terms; how many flaws or specks of black can be seen
inside the diamond. The less flaws or specks in the
diamond the more the diamond stone will be worth.
Flawless diamonds are a rare commodity; most diamonds
mined have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
CLARITY
GRADING SCALES
Fl
Flawless
IF
Internally Flawless
VVS1
Very, Very Slightly Included
VVS2
VS1 ?
VS2
Very Slightly Included
SI1 ?
SI3
Slightly Included
I1 ?
I3
Imperfect or pique
Cut is the most important characteristic of a
diamond. This factor determines how much light can enter the
diamond from above, then how much light will be reflected and
refracted back out of the gem to the eye of the observer. There are many
different cuts; round, pear,
oval, emerald, trilliant,
marquis, heart and princess. The way a
diamond is cut will determine how pretty the diamond
is. Generally if the size to weight ratio are cut correctly the entire bottom
side of the diamond is turned into a mirror. If the cut has been poorly done,
even the highest quality grade diamond will look lifeless. There
is the shallow cut and deep cut where the diamond will look bigger
but will not allow the light to shine through. The ideal cut will have a
diameter measure 6.3 to 6.5 mm and will reflect light to its optimum.
Special note when you are purchasing a 1.0 carat
or larger diamond we strongly recommend a
Gemological Laboratory Certificate and /or Appraisal
prior to purchase. |